Harold foot

A few weeks ago I got a text from harold with this picture saying I cut my foot with an axe while splitting wood. 

Then more pictures showing the boot and the x-ray. An axe got stuck in a piece of wood he was splitting so he lifted both to strike down to finish the split and the sharp axe and dry wood went faster than he was use to and the final blow ended up in his foot. This must be a lesson he needed to learn because a few weeks earlier he sent me a picture of a different boot he had sliced into with a box cutter. He did not cut through to skin that time. 

Can you see the split on the bone on the second set from the bottom? Yep broken foot with broken skin on top. 
 

Having been down this road with Mark a few years ago I wanted to demand he come home and sit in a chair for a month. I wanted to tell his bosses what to do and how to do it.  However, he is a legal adult and responsible for his decisions so that was not my say or place. He sent this picture a few days later of the stitches and bruising. I repeatedly told him to stay off the foot he had to just let it heal. 

This is not easy for the guy who has never sat still since he was an immobile baby. He figured out new less busy ways to move himself around and spent a week fixing horseshoes, but he was using crutches enough. The follow-up visit was a good reminder to be more serious about healing and staying off the foot. The doctor was surprised it hadn't healed more. Harold was admonished to be more vigilant and single footed. He obeyed this time and got this far in his recovery. 

This weeks appointment was positive he has another week at least of sitting around and hopefully using crutches. This has been an important lesson for me as a mom to watch from afar. This is not my problem, or foot, or consequences. This is his and he will deal with whatever he chooses. Of course I would love to make it all better but I cannot. So I encourage, ask questions, pray, and wait. That is really really hard to watch from a long ways away through pictures. But it is quicker than days gone by. I'm thankful he is healing and thankful he can still do things just much slower and more inhibited than he would prefer. I'm thankful Aliza is there to keep an eye on him. We are blessed as we learn and stretch and grow. 

Mark graduation

Mark has a talent for talking with people and asking genuine questions. This endears him to them as they learn he sincerely wants to know about them and what they know. An older man, Duane Williams, in the ward made friends with Mark a few years ago. He told him when he graduated he would gift him a custom made obsidian knife. True to his word Mark received the knife the week of his graduation. 

Part of the weeks festivities was a walk through the elementary schools in full grad costume. The kids first walked in town then came out to the community school which unfortunately was mostly empty after the power had been out all morning. Thus only a small crowd was there to watch the kids return to their beginnings. One important person in their educational journey is Mrs. Mendiola. She has been an instructional aid and now serves as the librarian.Mark did not require her help but she also served to keep recess safe and fair. She knows each of my children after watching them grow for 8 years at that school. 

Due to the reduced numbers of regular students there was an excess of lunch servings so all present were invited to eat together. It was fun to hear the seniors reminisce about their many years together in those halls. We had gone to get the kids but when I passed MArk and his friends driving that way we turned around to witness the commemoration. We then were treated to school lunch which wasn't too bad. 

On the day of graduation it was warm. We all attended the graduation, I shed a few tears alway saddened at the passage of time and yet so happy for the success these kids have become. 

Mark and friends had followed up their walk down memory lane at the elementary school visiting this special teacher who taught them 3-4 grade. She is a first class educator who truly changed lives. Mrs. Robertson came to the graduation to also celebrate the growth of those students from long ago. Addie also adores her. We are so thankful for the years she returned to education after her retirement. 

Good friends really make school worthwhile. This youngman has been Marks good friend for a few years. He is dynamic and centered in goodness and God. How thankful we all are to know and love JEB. 

Friends from FFA and Advanced English these fellow Ag lovers discussed, encouraged, debated, and supported each other through the educational process. Riley and Daniel. 

Shane always looked up to Mark and tried to imitate him in dress. We became friends and we wish the best for his future. 

Another powerful educator who is retiring.Mr Huston is the science teacher who pushed the kids educational boundaries and taught them they coudl do hard math and science. Mark was not particularly challenged but loved the introduction to higher thinking and theory. 

Nick has been Mark's friend since 1st grade. They enjoyed auto class together working together to complete projects and discussing farming along the way. 
 

Gino was a fellow football player. 

More football buddies. Mark was a year ahead of his classmates due to his time sitting waiting on his leg to heal, and because he's really smart. But he did enjoy weights and football with many of his male peers. Damick and Kase.

Our kind grandparents who endured yet another graduation, and who have shared their land and wisdom with Mark giving life to his goal of land stewardship. 

Grandma Lasley, Papa and Grandma also supported through another graduaion. We appreciate their time and love in all the kids do. 

And with that another kid has passed off the requirement of public education. He will continue both through private study through reading books and learning from others, and higher education at a University post mission. It is so good to learn and grow with each as they explore and develop their talents and interests. It is hard to let them go but so good they want to and can. 

We did not have a grad party for Mark but did attend quite a few. We really enjoyed this one until Merle fell into a cactus patch and came up with a handful of thorns. A friend took this picture as I pulled out hundreds of spines from his palm. We continued to remove splinters for a few weeks but overall he has healed just fine. 

Lia with her special friend Megan met up at a grad party with a picture section. 

The opportunity to visit and share time with community members and friends is a lost social balm. There is great good in taking time to talk. I'm thankful for the whirlwind of good food and better conversations that happens once a year in the graduation season. Life is good. 

Sharing Flowers

We love to share flowers. Before ours were ready I received this nice bouquet from the lovely florist in town. We enjoyed these through the crazy busy days of May. 

These flowers have been growing and settling for over 5 years. I got them from a beloved friend after she left her home. I transplanted this plant and waited patiently year after year. Last year at this stage the girls cut all the buds off with scissors. This year I showed them the plant and told them "Don't touch it!". They obeyed and we all waited and watched as it finally slowly opened those tight buds to wow us with beautiful blooms. Most good things in life take a lot of patience. 

Afton made me this pretty bookmark for mother's day. I love it. 

Our lovely inspirational neighbor/gardener Rhia has been bringing us bouquets periodically. She makes big showy displays, I don't have as many flowers or time to do such large arrangements. Hers are captivating from every angle.

Sometimes we just share this kind of flowers. The kids did the annual sprinkler pipe set-up of devils corner. Nowadays we have several corners of pipe but that was the first hence the name. I knew they would appreciate some extra appreciation. In todays age of healthy living and eating we don't do a lot of extra sweets but these are always a crowd favorite. Even though Im relatively out of practice these were soft and perfect! The kids had made a new friend in the neighborhood and wanted to share some with him for his helping them set up another section of handline. He responded with a sweet note asking for more. 

Our closes neighbor grandparents are away visiting family. These flowers bloom every June while they are gone. Not wanting such vibrant and bold flowers to go to waste we cut them and shared them with some sweet friends who always share with us. 

The week before we noticed the rose bushes were full of lovely blossoms. So we harvested those to share. The more moderate June has allowed the flowers to do their best instead of being cooked in a hot oven of summer. 

It was delightful to make some bouqets with such beauty. 

The kids load up with Addie and take the flowers to people that are special to them. I have a few instructions but they mostly decide where these go. It is a favorite activity of summer. This year I planted flowers all over. They are growing. 

I hope we planted enough food stuff too. Where I have an early garden at my house and a summer canning garden in our big spot, it's hard to gauge how much will be coming. I'm happy with all the plants progress though. The peas were a major hit. Andrea and Merle ate the majority sharing sometimes with the rest of us. 

We planted these when Anna was here for Spring break in early April. We are sad they are so short lived. 

And I have learned that one seed packet of Kale goes a long long ways. It is an abundant producer. Thankfully kale freezes nicely and I will be able to continue to choke down fresh homegrown green smoothies for months to come. 

Gardening has been an important diversion this year from all the hustle and bustle. Often I feel I accomplish nothing other than sitting most the day. Watering plants pulling some weeds and enjoying harvesting affirms to my soul I'm not just a lump on a log enduring this year but producing things of worth. Life has thrown some interesting curves this year my plans have been disrupted or changed and I have not been accepting those changes well. Coupled with new worries, the happiness of my kids enjoying peas or sharing beautiful gifts gives me courage that we can keep going. Next plan is a strawberry bed or two complete with weed barrier to hopefully help manage the abundance of weeds in every other growing location. The raspberries I planted are looking great we are hopeful we will get a few handfuls a piece of raspberries this year too. Life is abundant and in spite of my bad attitude we are very very blessed. 

 

State Track Weekend

Addie qualified for the state track meet again this year. Some of the girls in this picture medaled and broke records, others were along as moral support. Addie participated on the famed U of O track. This year was disappointing. Addie did not do as well as hoped, she did not come home with a medal like she did the last two years. The times were also crazy fast. Addie did run her season best times slightly behind her personal best ever. As this track season has wrapped up in our state there have been some truly awesome (not an exaggeration) times that have been recorded. High school kids beating olympians records type times. As this has unfolded meet after final meet Addie has been relieved and left wondering how does an athlete make such a jump? She is a well rounded person participating in many events and truly caring about others. Fastest times against others may not be her destiny, but improving and enjoying the experience are lessons we are working to believe.  

After a long two days and a very late night silly pictures were in order.

This is a meet like no other, and I mean no other state.

 One morning at breakfast Addie and a teammate were talking to one of the officials who was explaining how other states operate. There is one official its at a large high school kids do their thing and move on. Here it is televised on that huge blue screen there are probably ten officials for each event, the stadium is huge and about a quarter to half full at any given point in the day. It is just a top tier experience. 

After the race she still looks strong although disheartened at the sprinting finishes of the compeition. She ran the race in 5-9th place then in the last 300 meters or less is passed by several. I'm happy she was able to be there and to manage the many components of racing. 

In the long stretch between races we went and had our own adventures. One stop this year in Salem was the Woolen Mill. This was fascinating. We stumbled into the weaving room int he top floor of the museum where women gather to rent looms and create cloth. It was fascinating and beautiful. A teacher was up there and showed us around explaining different machines and techniques in the process.

Samples of finished products. 

 

We also finally made it to the Portland temple. I had wanted to be married there while I was growing up. Greg said no way our family is all local we will get married localling. For 25 years I have been waiting to go and this weekend I found a hotel 5 minutes away so we went one evening and one morning. It was HUGE! And so peaceful. I was thankful he was willing to go. Because of the extra studying I've been doing with my gospel doctrine class there was more that I learned, also the lack of stress getting to the temple helped immensely with the experience. 

I'm so thankful that we decided to share our lives. It is a beautiful and confidence building experience to create a marriage. Greg is so good to me. 

After touring the Woolen mill we tried a BBQ place. The meal was enough to fill up Greg for several hours. It was pretty good. 

These getaway trips have been so enjoyable. This one particularly where we can come and go as we please leave us time to relax, visit, and be more calm than our usual pace of life allows. We are thankful for time to renew and rest. Life is good.  

Sundays and gardening

Some Sunday evenings are long enough to make scones. Andrea is in the stage of wanting to help with every cooking project. She is a very insistent little girl 

We love scones it is an easy way to end a sabbath day. 

These two lovely ladies although far apart in age are similar in drive and desire to do things and to help mom. How thankful I am for the uniquely talented spirits that bless my life. 

A favorite place to play this summer. I'm thankful for the gift of siblings, both my own and the relationships my own children are developing. While there is plenty of fighting and name calling too but sometimes they are friendly. Both sides are part of growing up and the challenge of summer. 

My garden continues to grow and provide delight. I was so happy to see these little broccoli. We harvested them and put them in the freezer. 

Addie is a critical part of the farm management. She is enjoying the new sprayer this year. I love that it is less hands-on. She keeps the edges of the fields looking nicer. 

A new food experiment is making sauerkraut from culled cabbage leaves. Greg is worried we are going to be very sick from it. I'm not sure we will be brave enough to taste test but I can try and see what happens. The cabbage are also starting to make heads. It is fun to watch the progression from seed to finished product.  

I think the tedium of passing time has been greatly improved by growing plants. Many of these I started in my kitchen in February and early MArch. We also have small tomatoes and the first brave little hollyhock flower bloomed this week. It takes daily watering and weeding as often as we can spare time but it is fulfilling to watch the effort become what we hoped. 

And it gives us time together. And time away from fighting at home. And the weeds are good time users. So we garden, we are growing lots of flowers which I will share next but we are blessed with sunshine, temperate weather, and seeing the power of creation and life in our hands. Work is a fundamental principle of the gospel of JEsus Christ. President Spencer W. Kimball said that "Work brings happiness, self-esteem, and prosperity. It is the means of all accomplishment, it is the opposite of idleness. Work should be the ruling principle in the lives of our church membership."